Long-term use of opioids in 210 officially registered patients with chronic noncancer pain in Taiwan: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

This nationwide survey described the concurrent pain intensity, daily function, and various adverse effects by long-term opioids among 210 monitored outpatients with chronic noncancer pain in Taiwan. More efforts are suggested to reduce opioid prescriptions in the 30% of patients exceeding daily watchful dose.

Gender difference in long-term use of opioids among Taiwan officially registered patients with chronic noncancer pain

“…With the approval of the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration in January 2010, all of the registered CNCP patients were included. [15] According to the official patient list with omitted Chinese first names, the study interviewers visited the outpatient departments and requested the treating physicians to identify the patients and their conditions. A total of 210 (64.0%) of the 328 registered CNCP patients signed the written informed consent approved by the hospital institutional review board (TSGHIRB-098-05-254) and completed the Chinese language questionnaire by themselves or with verbal help from the interviewer.…”

“…A total of 210 (64.0%) of the 328 registered CNCP patients signed the written informed consent approved by the hospital institutional review board (TSGHIRB-098-05-254) and completed the Chinese language questionnaire by themselves or with verbal help from the interviewer. [15] The questionnaire included the Taiwanese version of Brief Pain Inventory, [16] the Chinese version of Beck Depression Inventory, [14] aberrant behaviors associated with prescription opioid misuse, self-reported impacts on sexual function (desire, frequency, capability, and satisfaction), and use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). [15] The opioid prescriptions were verified by the treating physicians and converted to a daily oral morphine equivalent dose (MED), with a so-called watchful dose as 200 mg per day which suggests a careful reassessment.…”

“…[15] The questionnaire included the Taiwanese version of Brief Pain Inventory, [16] the Chinese version of Beck Depression Inventory, [14] aberrant behaviors associated with prescription opioid misuse, self-reported impacts on sexual function (desire, frequency, capability, and satisfaction), and use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). [15] The opioid prescriptions were verified by the treating physicians and converted to a daily oral morphine equivalent dose (MED), with a so-called watchful dose as 200 mg per day which suggests a careful reassessment. [17] The secondary analysis of gender difference among these 210 patients was conducted in this study.…”

“…Consistent with a 55% increase of opioid consumption in Taiwan from 2002 to 2007, [13] the registered CNCP outpatients escalated from 114 in 2001 [14] to 328 in 2010. [15] We had interviewed 210 CNCP patients in 2010 [15] and this study further analyzed the gender difference among them regarding the concurrent perceptions of pain relief and adverse effects by chronic opioid therapy, including daily function, depression, sexual activity, and drug misuse behaviors.…”

Opioid‐induced hypogonadism: Pathophysiology, clinical and therapeutics review

“…Buprenorphine and tramadol elucidated less hazard on the gonadal hormonal functionality which is attributed to their partial agonistic effect of mu receptors. 48,64,67,68 Furthermore, using opioids through the intrathecal route is found to be associated with higher prevalence of OHG compared to the oral Erectile dysfunction √ -- [121][122][123][124] counterpart. 69 However, opioid-induced hypogonadism is reversible on discontinuation of opioid, even among long-term therapy.…”